Snl's Hilarious Take On Lawmaking: Bill To Law

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has never been one to shy away from political parodies, and in 2014, they took on the beloved Schoolhouse Rock! segment I'm Just a Bill with their sketch How a Bill Does Not Become a Law. The original segment, which featured a song by Dave Frishberg, explained how a bill becomes a law in the United States. SNL's parody, however, offered a comedic twist on the process, taking aim at former President Barack Obama's frequent use of executive orders. In the sketch, an immigration bill, sung by Kenan Thompson, is pushed down the Capitol Hill steps by Obama (Jay Pharoah), who explains that it's much easier to use an executive order, sung by Bobby Moynihan. The sketch not only provided laughs but also offered a lesson in how the US government is designed to work.

Kenan Thompson plays the Immigration Bill

In the Saturday Night Live sketch "How a Bill Does Not Become a Law", Kenan Thompson plays the Immigration Bill, singing a slightly altered version of the song "I'm Just a Bill" to a young boy, played by Kyle Mooney. The Bill usually appears in the Schoolhouse Rock! segment, which explains how a bill becomes a law in the United States.

In the sketch, President Barack Obama, played by Jay Pharoah, pushes the bill down the Capitol Hill steps, explaining to the boy that it is much easier to use an executive order, represented by Bobby Moynihan. The executive order introduces itself by singing, "I'm an executive order, and I pretty much just happen."

The sketch parodies the original Schoolhouse Rock! song, which was about how a bill for school buses to stop at railroad crossings becomes a law. In the SNL version, the immigration bill is thwarted by the executive order, highlighting the frequent use of executive orders during Obama's presidency.

Kenan Thompson's portrayal of the Immigration Bill adds a comedic twist to the educational content of the original Schoolhouse Rock! segment, offering a critique of the political process while entertaining the audience.

Jay Pharoah plays Barack Obama

Jay Pharoah, an American stand-up comedian and actor, joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2010 and became known for his celebrity impressions, including that of Barack Obama. Pharoah's impression of Obama was so popular that it made him an internet sensation.

In the November 22, 2014 episode of SNL, Pharoah played Obama in a parody sketch called "How a Bill Does Not Become a Law." The sketch was a critique of Obama's frequent use of executive orders during his presidency. In the sketch, an immigration bill, played by Kenan Thompson, sings a slightly altered version of the song "I'm Just a Bill" to a boy (Kyle Mooney). However, President Obama, portrayed by Pharoah, pushes the bill down the Capitol Hill steps several times, explaining to the boy that it is much easier to use an executive order (Bobby Moynihan).

Pharoah's impression of Obama was well-received, with many praising his ability to capture the former president's distinctive speaking style and composed demeanor. Pharoah's portrayal of Obama on SNL was lighthearted and entertaining, contributing to his reputation as a talented impressionist.

In addition to his impression of Obama, Pharoah has also impersonated various celebrities during his time on SNL, including Will Smith, Jay-Z, Chris Rock, and Kanye West, among others.

Bobby Moynihan plays the Executive Order

In the Saturday Night Live sketch "How a Bill Does Not Become a Law", Bobby Moynihan plays the Executive Order. The sketch is a parody of the Schoolhouse Rock! segment "I'm Just a Bill", which explains how a bill becomes a law in the United States. In the SNL version, an immigration bill, played by Kenan Thompson, is singing to a boy (Kyle Mooney) about how it becomes a law. However, President Barack Obama, played by Jay Pharoah, keeps pushing the bill down the Capitol Hill steps, explaining that it is much easier to use an executive order.

Bobby Moynihan's character, the Executive Order, introduces himself by singing: "I'm an executive order, and I pretty much just happen." This is a light-hearted critique on former President Obama's frequent use of executive orders during his term. The sketch is meant to be funny and educational, teaching young viewers about how the government works while also offering a laugh to those familiar with the original Schoolhouse Rock! segment. Moynihan's character is a key part of the sketch, providing a comedic and satirical take on the political process.

Moynihan's Executive Order character could be portrayed as a smooth and charismatic figure, always ready to step in and offer a simpler alternative to the complex legislative process. With a wink and a smile, he presents himself as an easy solution to the boy's confusion about how a bill becomes a law. The Executive Order could be dressed in a sharp suit, exuding an air of confidence and efficiency. Perhaps he carries a briefcase, symbolizing the power and authority of the president.

In one scene, the Executive Order could be seen striding down the Capitol Hill steps, passing by the struggling bill. He offers a friendly wave to the bill, a subtle indication of the president's preference for using executive orders. The bill, looking worn and tired from its journey, watches with a mix of envy and frustration as the Executive Order effortlessly glides by. This visual representation emphasizes the ease and convenience of the executive order process compared to the lengthy and challenging path of a bill becoming a law.

In another scene, the Executive Order could be seen in the Oval Office, casually chatting with President Obama. The president, played by Jay Pharoah, could be portrayed as relying heavily on the Executive Order, almost as if it were his right-hand man. With a simple nod or gesture, President Obama indicates his preference for using executive orders, further emphasizing the sketch's critique of the frequent use of this process during his administration. The Executive Order, always ready to please, stands by with a charming smile, happy to be of service.

Throughout the sketch, Moynihan's character embodies the concept of the executive order, presenting it as a quick and straightforward alternative to the traditional legislative process. The Executive Order's presence serves as a light-hearted yet effective commentary on the complexities of law-making and the shortcuts that can be taken. Moynihan's comedic talent shines through, adding a layer of humor to the educational message of the sketch.

Kyle Mooney plays the boy

Kyle Mooney, playing the boy in the parody, is taught by the Bill , played by Kenan Thompson, about how a bill becomes a law. The Bill is for an immigration law and sings a slightly altered version of the song from the original "I'm Just a Bill" sketch. Mooney's character is taught about the process, including how the bill must go through Congress and can be vetoed.

However, in this parody, President Barack Obama, played by Jay Pharoah, interrupts the lesson by pushing the bill down the Capitol Hill steps. This action is meant to critique Obama's frequent use of executive orders during his presidency. The boy is then introduced to an executive order, played by Bobby Moynihan, who sings, "I'm an executive order, and I pretty much just happen."

Mooney's character, dressed in a school uniform, represents the average citizen trying to understand the complex political process of how a bill becomes a law. His role adds a comedic element to the sketch, providing a contrast to the more serious discussion of Obama's use of executive orders.

Mooney's performance as the boy likely resonated with viewers, especially those who felt similarly confused about the political system. His portrayal added a lighthearted and educational element to the sketch, providing a contrast to the more serious discussion.

The sketch aired on 22 November 2014

The sketch "How a Bill Does Not Become a Law" aired on Saturday Night Live on 22 November 2014. It was a parody of the "I'm Just a Bill" segment from the 1976 Schoolhouse Rock! series, which explained how a bill becomes a law in the United States. The SNL sketch featured an immigration bill, played by Kenan Thompson, singing a slightly altered version of the song to a boy, played by Kyle Mooney. However, President Barack Obama, played by Jay Pharoah, kept pushing the bill down the Capitol Hill steps, explaining that it was much easier to use an executive order, played by Bobby Moynihan. This was a critique of Obama's frequent use of executive orders during his presidency.

The sketch was well-received, with one commentator calling it "funny, funny stuff". Another appreciated the educational aspect, noting that "How many young SNL viewers know how the government is designed or how it is supposed to work? They got a lesson as well as a laugh."

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